Game device



March 13,1945. 8. h Pous 2,371,262

GAME DEVICE Filed Nov. '7, 1941 INVENTOR- Samuel NI Polala ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 13, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME DEVICE Samuel N. Polis, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application "November 7, 1941, Serial No. 418,215

2 Claims. .401. 273-435 My invention relates to improvements in devices adapted for use in the playing of games, such as cards and the like; and particularly to a board upon which the cards are laid when the game is in progress, and which is so constructed as to protect the cards and prevent the displacement or scattering of the same by a force or agency beyond the control of the players.

An object of the invention is to provide a board intended chiefly for card-playing, and designed so that the surface thereof upon which the cards are put down is shielded against the annoying effect of wind and drafts, so that the cards as they are dropped rest securely thereon. The board is therefore a quite desirable article on the beach, the lawn, the outside porch and other places of the kind, whenever people in the open air wish to divert or amuse themselves.

A further object of the invention is to provide a board for the purpose mentioned which is of sufficient extent to accommodate several players at once, and has a perimeter so arranged that a breeze or puff of wind will be deflected from the playing surface. Hence the cards cannot be blown off the board, and the players are enabled to concentrate upon developments without interruption or disturbance, as fully as if they were inside the four walls of a house.

The objects and advantages of the invention are fully set forth in the description that follows, and the characteristics by which the ends thereof are attained are precisely defined in the appended claims. But the disclosure herein is of course illustrative only, and I may resort to changes in the shape, size; arrangement and relations of the various parts and members, without divergence from the underlying principle of the invention, and without exceeding the broad and general meanings of the terms in which the claims are expressed.

On the drawing, which presents embodiments of the invention: 1

Figure 1 is a top plan of a game device by which my invention can be practiced; and

Figure 2 is a cross section of same.

The same numerals identify the same parts throughout.

In the particular or detailed account of what is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the numeral I is employed to indicate the outside perimeter or frame of the board. It consists of a number of parts in the form of lateral members or sides 2, of suitable width or height; the sides being joined together at their extremities to form a polygonal figure. Themembers '2 are all several times as long ,as they are wide, and the lateral edges are parallel; but the extremities are diagonal; being inclined in opposite directions. Each side member thus has its upper edge 3 shorter than the opposite lower edge 4. The figure which results has the edges 3 in one plane and the edges 4 in another plane, parallel to the first; and the outer face of each of the members 2 is inclined to both planes. Hence, when the figure is disposed upon a base or supporting surface, the members 2 lean or slope inward, and the periphery around the upper edges 3 is smaller than the periphery around the lower edges 4.

The. frame supports and encircles a base or bottom 5, surrounded by a rim consisting of sections 6. These sections slope outward and unite at their upper edges with the sides 2 along the edges 3 thereof; being separated from said sides by an angular space 1. The article thus makes a durable unit of little weight and can be handled very easily. It can be made of pieces of wood, cardboard, metal or other material, joined together; or if metal or cardboard is used, stamped or molded in one piece. A number can easily be nested together for packing, storing or shipment.

In use, the players lay their cards on the bottom 5 within the enclosure surrounded by the sides 2. If the game i played upon a beach, for instance, the board is maintained in horizontal position; and the wind, if blowing, will be deflected upward by the inclined outer faces of the sides 2. In consequence none of the cards will be blown off the .board, and the players will be spared the inconvenience and distraction of having to pick up their cards and replace them.

The board may be employed the same way indoors, or inverted so that cards may be dropped on the lower face of the base 5 if preferred.

The manner in which the wind is deflected by the sides in their screening action is such that a draft from any point is diverted upward and does not disturb the cards laid on the base 5. The air is directed upward, and the cards are not tossed about. I may also provide the sides 2 with small orifices or apertures 8, and the sections}; with apertures 9, with other openings It) in the base 5. These apertures will permit just enough air to enter the enclosure to oppose and reduce eddy currents that might be set up and prove a bit troublesome. All or part of these openings may be used. The small amount of air entering any of them will of course not affect the cards at all. The openings ID will be sufiicient if the device is supported above the ground at a suitable height.

It will now be apparent that the device is very efiicient in its way; and it can not only be easily and cheaply manufactured but also readily handied and carried about, or stood aside when not needed.

The device can be utilized for playing other than card games, and can be made to look attractive and neat. Another great advantage is that when'a game is played on a, beach, the cards or other pieces laid on the base 5 are thus prevented from coming into contact with sand and dirt. Hence the cards and the like remain clear and their finish and polish are preserved.

1. A device for a game to be played on a flat horizontal surface comprising a base having an outwardly sloping rim and a frame enveloping the rim and connected to the upper edge thereof, said frame comprising members inclined outward and downward, so that when the device is supported in substantially horizontal position, air currents striking said members will be deflected upward over said base.

2. A device for a game to be played on a flat horizontal surface comprising a base having an outwardly sloping rim and a frame enveloping the rim and connected to the upper edge thereof, said frame comprising members inclined outward and downward, so that when the device is supported in substantially horizontal position,

. air currents striking said members will be defiected upward over said base, said frame and rim having registering openings at several points to admit air to said device and reduce and oppose eddy currents of air within the space surrounded by said rim and frame.

SAMUEL N. POLIS. 

